Bolton to stage top awards invasion
9:02am Friday 18th January 2013 in News
THE Octagon Theatre, a famous face from Bolton, a Lostock musician and an actor from Little Hulton are among the nominees for the region’s annual theatre awards.
The Octagon has earned seven nominations, including three nods for best supporting actor, at the Manchester Theatre Awards (MTAs) — the largest of their kind outside London.
The MTAs are chosen by nine independent regional theatre critics and the winners will be revealed at a glittering ceremony at the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, March 26.
Christopher Ravenscroft has been nominated for best actor for the role of Arthur Winslow in The Winslow Boy, which was staged at the Octagon last March and April. The play is also up for best production.
Octagon artistic director David Thacker said: “It’s important to stress these awards really belong to the team of people who have helped to make the productions so successful, the many actors, designers, sound designers, lighting designers, directors and technical staff.
“These awards are a tribute to everyone who makes the Octagon such a special place.”
Our Country’s Good, a co-production by the Octagon and London-based touring theatre company Out Of Joint, has been nominated for best visiting production.
Producer Graham Cowley said: “We are absolutely thrilled to bits. We love coming to Bolton.
“The standard of productions, and that theatre generally, is incredible, and we love working with them.”
Anna Wheatley has been nominated for best newcomer for her performance as Tinkerbell in Peter Pan at the Octagon. And Shameless and Silk actress Maxine Peake, aged 38, who went to Westhoughton High and Canon Slade School, is up for best actress for her role of Miss Julie at the Royal Exchange.
Reuben Johnson, from Little Hulton, has been nominated for best performance in a studio production of Wrecked, at The Lowry, which he also wrote.
Mr Johnson, who went to Harrop Fold School, said: “It’s just great to be recognised as an actor, as well as as it being my show, writing and directing.”
The Library Theatre Company’s festive production of Arabian Nights, at The Lowry, has been nominated for best production, best ensemble and best design.
It was directed by Amy Leach, who attended the Octagon’s youth theatre as a teenager, and the show’s musical director was clarinetist and composer Arun Ghosh, who grew up in Lostock.
The former Bolton School pupil said: “We put a lot of work and creativity into making it a special production and I’m really pleased that’s reflected in the nominations.”
For all the award categories visit the website manchesterthe atreawards.com.
